Jar lid remover

ABSTRACT

A jar lid remover for relatively unscrewing and separating threadedly engaged jar lids and jars and comprising a jar base clamp adjustable into clamping relationship with respect to the base of a jar and a jar lid clamp adjustably positioned directly above the jar base clamp for vertical adjustment to accommodate jars of different heights and arranged to be controllably clamped on the periphery of a threaded jar lid and then to be powerdriven in a jar-lid unscrewing direction and with the jar lid clamp means being of a type such that the forcible motorized application of lid-unscrewing torque actually increases the extent of the clamping engagement of the clamp means on the lid so as to positively prevent any torsional slippage during a jar lid unscrewing operation. In one preferred form, the jar base clamp means may be of the same type as that disclosed in connection with the jar lid engaging clamp means - that is, arranged to provide amplified clamp-engaging force as a result of the torque produced during a jar lid unscrewing operation.

United States Patent 1191 Morita [451 Mar. 5, 1974 I 1 .lAR L11) REMOVERRobert Y. Morita, 1268 Lyaman Pl., Los Angeles, Calif. 90029 [22] Filed:Dec. 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 312,578

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 8l/3.32 [51] Int. Cl B67b 7/18 [58] Field of Search 81/32,3.32, 3.31, 3.3 R, 8l/3.42, 3.33, 3.36, 3.37, 3.4, 3.39; 269/202, 204,218, 227

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,897,699 8/1959 Anderson81/332 909,469 1/1909 Solberg..... 269/227 X 1,856,827 5/1932 Carruthers81/333 X 863,789 8/1907 Dixon 269/227 X 1,894,556 1/1933 Edlund 81/3.422,656,084 10/1953 Filander 81/3.2 X

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 620,679 7/1962 Belgium 269/204 PrimaryExaminer-James 1,. Jones, Jr. Assistant ExaminerMark S. Hicks [57]ABSTRACT A jar lid remover for relatively unscrewing and separatingthreadedly engaged jar lids and jars and comprising a jar base clampadjustable into clamping relationship with respect to the base of a jarand a jar lid clamp adjustably positioned directly above the jar baseclamp for vertical adjustment to accommodate jars of different heightsand arranged to be controllably clamped on the periphery of a threadedjar lid and then to be power-driven in a jar-lid unscrewing direc- 1tion and with the jar lid clamp means being of a type such that theforcible motorized application of lidunscrewing torque actuallyincreases the extent of the clamping engagement of the clamp means onthe lid so as to positively prevent any torsional slippage duringa jarlid unscrewing operation. 1n one preferred form, the jar base clampmeans may be of the same type as that disclosed in connection with thejar lid engaging clamp means that is, arranged to provide amplifiedclamp-engaging force as a result of the torque produced during a jar lidunscrewing operation.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures JAR LID REMOVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA great many items or products are packaged in jars closed by threadedlyengaged lids which require the unthreading or disengagement of the lidfrom the jar whenever it is to be opened. Sometimes this operation isrelatively difficult to perform. This may occur for any of severalreasons. such as the fact that the jar lid may be initially engaged andsealed so strongly at the factory or packing plant that it requires themanual application of a very considerable degree of torque (which may bebeyond the capabilities of a woman or child) in order to initiallyremove the lid for the first time. An-

other reason may be the fact that some of the contents of the jar mayhave seeped into the interface zone or region between the threads of thejar lid and the periphery of the upper end of the jar and may have abinding effect upon the threaded engagement so as to require a verylarge amount of torque to, in effect, break loose the engagement of thethreaded jar lid and of the upper end of the jar. Also, in some cases,the threads of the jar lid may have become slightly corroded and thismay increase the frictional engagement of the opposed engaged threads toa degree such as to require excessive torque in order to remove the lid.Alternatively, after the lid has been removed for the first time and thecontents of the jar have been partially removed and the lid has beenre-engaged by rethreading it back onto the top of the jar, it may befound that some of the jar contents lie in the interface region betweenthe engaged threads as a consequence of previously having poured some ofthe jar contents out of the open jar in a manner allowing it to dripdown into the threads. After reengagement of the jar lid, this materialmay harden and provide such a firm engagement between the jar lid andjar as to require excessive torque for subsequent disengagement thereof.It is obvious that some means for minimizing the manual torque requiredfor removing jar lids would be desirable for any person, butparticularly for women, children, or other persons who may not have therequisite manual strength and would be especially desirable wherenumerous jars are to be opened in this manner, and it is precisely thisdesirable objective which is achieved by the novel apparatus of thepresent invention, as more thoroughly detailed hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The jar lid remover of the present invention ineffect comprises a power tool to facilitate the forcible unscrewing of ajar lid from a jar with which it has been previously threadedly engaged.Of course, in certain cases the reverse operation may be accomplished,comprising the threaded re-engagement of a jar lid on a threaded jar,through the use of a modified form of the apparatus in a reverse mannerand this should be understood throughout this present application.However, the remainder of the disclosure will be described primarilywith respect to the jar lid removing aspect of the invention since thisis the primary purpose of the apparatus, although, as pointed out abdveit is not limited to this particular usage, but may be employed forapplying torque in either direction for either unscrewing cooperationwith a jar and jar lid or for the opposite threaded engagementcooperation with respect to a jar and a jar lid, or any other threadedlyengagable and disengagable objects, and what follows should be broadlyconstrued in the light of the following statement.

In a preferred form, the jar lid remover includes a lower size-variable,jar base receiving downwardly recessed base clamp means adapted toreceive, and be clamped in a torsional force exerting or resistingmanner onto, a jar base of any size within a predetermined range ofsizes. The apparatus also includes an upper size-variable, jar lidreceiving upwardly recessed lid clamp means directly spaced above thepreviously mentioned base clamp means and arranged to receive, and beclamped in a torsional force applying or exerting manner onto, a jar lidof any size within a predetermined size range. In one preferred form,the upper and lower clamp means are relatively vertically adjustablymounted with respect to each other by mounting post means and sleevemeans slidably vertically mounted thereon to allow the upper and lowerclamp means to be vertically adjusted into any desired vertical spacingsuitable for engaging a jar lid and a jar base of any vertical heightwithin a predetermined size range. Also in one preferred form thevertically adjustable mounting means may be effectively provided withvertical locking means for locking same and the upper and lower clampmeans in any selected vertically spaced adjusted position, and alsoadapted for use in unlocking the vertically adjustable mounting means toallow the vertical space between the upper and lower clamp means to beincreased between successive jar lid removing operations in order tofacilitate the positioning and removal of successive jars and jar lidstherebetween. One of the two clamp means may be provided with powerrotating, torque applying means, which in one preferred form, comprisestorque applying motor and reduction gearing means having a verticallydirected output shaft coupled by appropriate coupling means to one saidtwo clamp means for forcibly applying torque thereto, while the otherone of said two clamp means is rotatively immobilized and, therefore,resists the application of torque, which will effectively providefordisengagement of a jar lid from a jar (or conversely, effectivelyprovide for re-engagement thereof).

In one preferred form, at least one of the clamp means is of a typewherein the application of torque thereto in the manner referred toabove effectively increases the force of the clamping engagement of theclamp means in an inwardly directed manner whereby to positively preventslippage of the corresponding exterior portion of a jar or jar lidclamped therein during the forcible application of torque in effectivelyopposite directions to the jar lid and jar base respectively.

In another preferred form of the invention, both of the clamp means maybe of the above clamp-forceincreasing type responsive to the applicationof torque in a manner such as to more firmly grasp the jar lid or jarbase portions received therewithin during a jar lid disengagementoperation.

In one preferred version of the above graspenhancing form of clampmeans, it comprises at least a pair of spacedly opposed jaw membersprovided with inwardly facing frictional abutment means adapted tofrictionally engage opposed arcuate portions of the circumference of ajar lid or jar and with said opposed jaw members being providedcentrally with rotary-tolinear-movement converter means coupled inopposi'tely directed senses with respect to each of said jaw members anda central torque applying shaft of the complete clamp means (usually byway of a central spur gear or pinion driving oppositely directed racks)in a manner such that rotation of said central torque applying shaft inone direction (usually counterclockwise as viewed in a direction lookingoutwardly or away therefrom) will effectively convert the rotarymovement thereof into oppositely directed motion of each of said opposedjaw members toward each other for enhancing the firm grip and engagementof the inwardly directed frictional abutment means thereof with engagedopposed arcuate portions of a jar lid or jar.

In one form of the invention, one of said vertically spaced receivingclamp means may be driven by said torque applying motor means (usuallyby way of reduction gearing means) while the other of said opposedreceiving clamp means may be provided with manually controllableoperable means for rotating the central input torque applying shaftthereof into any desired initial relationship thereof corresponding toany desired initial transverse spacing between opposed jaw members ofthat particular receiving clamp means and, in certain forms, may also beprovided with locking means for controllably locking same in saidadjusted position whereby to provide for torqueresisting engagement ofthat particular clamp means with respect to corresponding opposedarcuate portions ofjar base or jar lid which is clamped and heldwhereby.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION With the above points in mind, it is an objectof the invention to provide a novel power tool for applying opposedtorque to opposite ends of an object which is generally of substantiallycylindrically shaped configuration and which, in one preferred form, maycomprise a cylindrical jar threadedly carrying at one otherwise open enda threaded lid which is to be powerdisengaged from the jar with noeffort on the part of a user of the apparatus (and which, in certainforms, may also be employed for the reverse lid re-engagement operationif desired).

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a noveltorque applying power tool of the character referred to herein,generically and/or specifically, which may include any or all of thefeatures referred to herein, either individually or in combination, andwhich is of extremely simple, inexpensive, readily portable constructionsuch as to facilitate the mass manufacture and distribution of the novelpower tool of the present invention at a relatively low cost per unit,both as to initial tooling cost and as to the subsequent per unitmanufacturing cost, whereby to be conducive to the manufacture,distribution, and use of the invention for the purposes outlined thereinor for any substantially equivalent or similar purposes.

Further objects are implicit in the detailed description which followshereinafter (which is to be considered as exemplary of, but notspecifically limiting the present invention), and said objects will beapparent to persons skilled in the art after a careful study of thedetailed description which follows.

For the purpose of clarifying the nature of the present invention, twoexemplary embodiments of the invention, or of various portions of theinvention, are illustrated in the hereinbelow-described figures of theaccompanying two sheets of drawings and are described in detailhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a reduced-size, side view,partly in elevation and partly broken away into a verticalcross-sectional plane with respect to the base portion of the apparatusand with respect to both the upper and the lower receiving clamp means,and with respect to the locking means for the vertically adjustablemounting means all for the purpose of maximizing the extent of thedisclosure provided by FIG. 1.

FIG. 1A is an enlarged, somewhat diagrammatic and schematic view withportions removed for reasons of drawing simplicity and clarityillustrating the vertical displacement permitting means shown betweenthe motor and the upper clamp means of FIG. 1 and illustrates oneexemplary representative form thereof.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, cross-sectionally view taken substantiallyalong the multiple planes and in the direction indicated by the arrow 22of FIG. 1 and, thus, shows the representative vertically adjustablemounting means in cross-section and shows the locking means thereforsubstantially entirely in top plan view. All portions of the apparatuslying below the locking means are removed for reasons of drawingsimplicity and clarrty.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, partially broken away, view largely in verticalcross-section taken substantially along the plane and in the directionindicated by the arrows 33 of FIG. I. However, it should be noted thatthe threadedly engaged jar lid, and the jar carrying same, are shown infull elevation rather than in centralplane, cross-section in this view.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, partially broken away top plan view takensubstantially along the plane and in the direction indicated by thearrows 44 of FIG. I and illustrates the detailed construction of thelower jar base engaging receiving clamp means, and the base structure ofthe complete apparatus carrying same, together with the manuallyoperable adjusting means for adjusting the space between the opposedjaws of said clamp means.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top view, taken substantially along the planeand the direction indicated by the arrows 5-5 of FIG. 1, and shows inbroken lines the structure of the upper jar lid receiving clamp meanswhich is similar to the lower jar base receiving clamp means of FIG. 4.In this view all lower portions of the apparatus, including the lowerclamp means and base supporting same, are removed for reasons of drawingsimplicity and clarity.

FIG. 5A is a fragmentary view in perspective, illus- I trating thedetailed construction of the complete movable assembly, including eachof the two opposed jaw members, such as is present in both the upperclamp means in an opposed set or pair thereof and in the lower clampmeans in a generally similar but positionally reversed lower set or pairthereof. This view is somewhat simplified by the removal of all otherportions of the apparatus so that the detailed construction of each ofsaid movable jaw-connected assemblies can be best disclosed.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view taken substantially along theplane and in the direction indicated by the arrows 6-6 of FIG. 1, butwith left portions of the underlying supporting base being broken awayfor reasons of drawing simplicity and clarity.

FIG. 7 is'a view taken along a plane and in a direction such asindicated by the phantom or broken line arrows 7-7 of FIG. 1, althoughit should be clearly understood that this view illustrates amodification of the FIG. 1 form of the invention and, therefore, is notin actuality taken on the plane 7-7 of FIG. 1, but is taken on a similarplane of such a modified form of the invention wherein the manuallycontrollably operable adjusting means for adjusting the transversespacing between the opposed jaw members of the lower clamp means is alsoprovided with manually operable locking means for locking said adjustingmeans and the opposed lower jaw members in any selected adjustedposition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The exemplary form of theinvention illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 includes a lower recessed clampmeans, indicated generally at 20, and a similar but inverted upperrecessed clamp means, such as is indicated generally at 22, invertically spaced, oppositely directed, superimposed relationship andwith the vertical spacing therebetween being controllably adjustable bymeans of the effective interconnection thereof by vertically adjustablemounting means, one form of which is generally designated by thereference numeral 24 in the exemplary first form of the inventionillustrated.

In said exemplary first form of the invention, a lower baseportion,.indicated generally at 26, is normally substantiallyhorizontally positioned and is provided with support foot means, such asis indicated at 28 adapted to position it on an auxiliary horizontalsupporting surface such as a table top, kitchen counter top, or thelike, which is indicated in fragmentary, broken-away form at 30 in FIG.I. Said horizontal base portion 26 carries an upstanding mounting postmember 32 which, in the example illustrated, is fastened thereto bythreaded fastening means 34 and which extends upwardly to an upperterminus 36 ofa selected or desired height. A longitudinal, verticallypositioned hollow sleeve 38 is vertically slidably mounted on themounting post member 32 for vertical, slidable, relative positionaladjustment in either vertical direction as indicated by thedouble-headed arrow 40.

Also, in the example illustrated, vertical locking means, such as isgenerally indicated in one form at 42, is provided for the purposeoflocking the complete vertically adjustable mounting means. and, inparticular, the relatively vertically slidable sleeve 38 and mountingpost member 32 in any desired relatively vertically adjusted position.

In the example illustrated, said vertical locking means 42 comprises acam member 44 rotated by means of a horizontal mounting pin 46 withrespect to an outwardly slotted sleeve enlargement 48 and having anouter operating handle portion 50 extending outwardly through an arcuateslot 52. This makes it possible to unlock the locking means 42 by merelylifting the operating handle 50 and, conversely, to lock the lockingmeans 42 by merely depressing the handle 50 so as to swing the enlargedportion of the cam 44 against the exterior of the mounting post member32 in a snubbing manner.

The upper end of the sleeve 38 is provided with a horizontally directedmounting collar or frame 54 which is vertically apertured and whichreceives therethrough and has fastened thereto by appropriate fasteningmeans 56 motor means such as is generally designated at 58, which has anoutput torque applying shaft 60 directed downwardly therefrom. The otherend of the mounting collar 54 is attached, as indicated at 62, to theupper end of the mounting sleeve 38. The motor means 58 and the outputshaft 60 are shown as being coupled by way of reduction gearing means,indicated at 64, in order to reduce the usual relatively high revolutionrate of the output shaft of most motor means and to correspondinglyincrease the usual relatively low torque value thereof. However, incertain cases where the motor means 58 is of a slow revolution-perminute, but high-torque type, it is conceivable that it might be usedwith less reduction gearing means or perhaps none at all. In any case,the arrangement is such that the output shaft 60 is capable of beingresolved at a very slow rate, but with extremely high torque sufficientto unscrew the lid from any conventional jar which might conventionallybe encountered.

The output shaft 60 is appropriately coupled by coupling means indicatedgenerally at 66 to the previously mentioned upper clamp means 22 forapplying torque thereto in a desired direction of rotation whichnormally will be counterclockwise as viewed from above. If the motormeans 58 is of a type which would normally produce output torque in anopposite direction, the direction of rotation thereof may be effectivelyreversed through the use of appropriate reversing gearing which mayeffectively comprise a part of the reduction gearing 64, if desired. Thedetailed structure of such gearing is not shown since such arrangementsare wellknown in the art and do not touch upon the real inventiveconcept of the present invention.

In the example illustrated, the upper clamp means 22 comprises a pair ofspaced, opposed jaw members 68 and 69, each provided with innerfrictional abutment means and 71, such as rubber or elastomeric plasticgaskets or pad means or the like.

In the example illustrated, the coupling means 66 effectively couplingthe driven output shaft 60 to the opposed jaw members 68 and 69 of theupper clamp means 22 comprises what might be termed rotary-tolinearmovement converter means for converting rotary movement of the outputshaft 60 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from above, and asindi cated by the arrow 72, into linear or translatory movement of eachof the two opposed jaw members 68 and 69 toward each other. In theexample illustrated, said rotary-to-linear movement converter means 66takes the form of a centrally positioned pinion or spur gear 74effectively connected to the driven output shaft 60 and in engagementwith two sets of rack teeth as indicated at 76 and 78, respectively,carried by two corresponding longitudinal parallel rack or slide members80 and 82, respectively, and each mounted in a corresponding shoulderedslided carrier84 and 86, respectively. It should be noted that the leftjaw member 68 is connected to the rack or slide member 82, which isactually the near rack or slide member when the apparatus in theposition shown in FIG. 1 and is the left rack or slide member when theapparatus is in the position shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand theopposite jaw member 69 is connected to the other rack or slide member80, which is the most remote rack or slide member when the apparatus isin the position shown in FIG. 1 and is the right rack or slide member inthe position of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3. Thus it will beunderstood that when the motor-driven output shaft 60 is rotated in acounterclockwise direction as viewed from above in the manner indicatedby the directional arrow 72, this will move the rack and slide member 82and the attached jaw member 68 toward the right as viewed in both FIG. 1and FIG. 5 and conversely will move the other rack and slide member 80and the attached other jaw member 69 toward the left as viewed in bothFIG. 1 and FIG. 5, thus effectively moving the two opposed jaw members68 and 69 toward each other in a manner which will cause the innercompressional abutment pads 70 and 71 to be forced into an even firmerengagement with the exterior of the jar lid, such as is indicated at 88,than would be the case initially at the start of the jar lid removingoperation. Thus during the entire application torque to the upperrotary-to-linear-movement converter means 66 the opposed upper jaws 68and 69 will be caused to grip the jar lid 88 with such force as toprevent any slippage during the jar'lid-removing operation. Upon theremoval of the torque applied by the motor 58 after a jar lid removingoperation has been completed, it will be found that the opposed jawmembers 68 and 69 can be readily separated to release a removed jar lidby merely manually rotating the output shaft 60 in a clockwise directionas viewed from above. This may be facilitated by the provision of afinger-engagable knurled, or otherwise roughened, portion as indicatedat 90.

In order to maintain proper slidable alignment of each rack and slidemember, such as the two shown at 80 and 82 within the correspondingshouldered slide ways 84 and 86, respectively, each is shown as beingprovided with an opposed guide and slide member carried by the oppositeside of each jaw member from the attachment of the corresponding rackand slide member 80 or 82 thereto. Thus, in the case of the jaw member68 which is attached to the rack and slide member 82, an opposed guideand slide member 92 is connected to the other said jaw member 68 in amanner parallel to the rack and slide member 82 and on the opposite sideof the spur gear 74 therefrom and slidably engaged within the oppositeshouldered slideway 84. The other jaw member 69 which is attached to theother rack and slide member 80 similarly has an opposed guide and slidemember 94 connected to said jaw member 69 in a manner parallel to therack and slide member 80 and on the opposite side of the pinion or spurgear 74 therefrom and slidably engaged within the opposite shoulderedslideway 86. This causes each opposite, slidably movable, structurecomprising each rack and slide member, each guide and slide member andthe particular jaw member connected between similar ends of each of saidtwo just described members, to comprise a substantially U-shapedstructure with the two different slide members, 82 and 92 in the case ofthe left jaw member 68, to be vertically offset from each other so as tocause each of the opposed sets of rack teeth 76 and 78 to lie in thesame horizontal plane, while each of the opposed guide and slide memberssuch as the right one 92 shown in FIG. 3 and the left one 94 shown inFIG. 3 also lie in a common horizontal plane vertically displaced from,but immediately vertically adjacent to, the common plane of the opposedset of rack teeth 76 and 78. This arrangement provides a mountingstructure for the sets of rack teeth and the opposed jaw members whichis stable and will prevent any tendency for wobble to occur. However,various other equivalent arrangements may be employed within the broadscope of the present invention.

The bottom clamp means 20 is generally similar in construction to theupper clamp means 22 as just described in detail except that thearrangement of the rotary-to-linear-movement converter means, which inthe case is generally designated by the reference numeral 66 is such asto produce exactly the opposite relationship between input torqueapplied by way of a central torque input shaft 60 with respect to thedirection of translatory movement of the left and right opposed lowerjaw members 68' and 69' as viewed from above in the manner shown in FIG.4 so that the direction of rotation of the input shaft 60' as viewedfrom above will be clockwise, such as indicated by the directional arrow96, which will cause the pinion or spur gear 74' to also rotate in aclockwise direction as viewed from above and which in turn will causethe rack and slide member 82, which in this case is connected to theright hand jaw member 69 to move toward the left as viewed in FIG. 4. Atthe same time the opposite rack and slide member and the left jaw member68', which is connected thereto, will move toward the right in responseto such clockwise rotation of the input shaft 60 and the spur gear orpinion 74' as viewed from above in the manner shown in FIG. 4. This willcause the two lower jaw members 68' and 69 to be forcibly moved towardeach other into even firmer engagement with respect to opposite arcuateside portions of a jar base, as indicated at 98, so thatcounterclockwise forcible rotation of the upper clamp means 22 in themanner previously described and in the direction of the arrow 72 shownin FIG. 5 will be opposed by effective clockwise directed torque in thedirection of the arrow 96 shown in FIG. 4, while the jar base portions98 are firmly gripped by the opposed lower jaw members 68 and 69'. Thisof course will result in the rapid unscrewing of the jar lid 88 from thethreaded upper end of the jar which is generally designated by thereference numeral 100.

In order to initially adjust the opposed bottom jaw members 68' and 69'into initial engagement with a jar base portions 98, a controllablyoperable means is provided for rotating the bottom central input shaft60' whereby to adjust the initial spacing between the opposed bottom jawmembers 68' and 69'. Such means is shown in one representative form inFIG. 1 where it is generally designated by the reference numeral 102 andcomprises a manually rotatable knob 104 rotated a horizontal shaft 106which drives a first bevel gear 108, which in turn drives a secondright-angle-positioned bevel gear 110 which drives the previouslymentioned central input shaft 60 of the lower rotary-to-linearmovementconverter means 66'. Thus it will be understood that counterclockwiserotation of the manually operable knob 104, when viewed from the frontthereof, will cause the opposed lower jaw member 68' and 69' to be movedtoward each other into jar-basegripping engagement in a manner similarto the relationship of said parts as shown in FIG. 1. Then the manuallyoperable locking means 42 is released and the entire verticallyadjustable mounting means 24 is vertically shifted downwardly from aprevious upper position, usually facilitated by the use of the grippingprojection or handle 112, until the upper clamp means 22 touches the jarlid 88, at which time the locking means 42 may be again locked or thedevice may be merely manually held in said position without the use ofthe locking means 42. The knurled adjustment member 90 is rotated untilopposed upper jaws 68 and 69 come together and touch opposed peripheralportions of the jar lid 88, at which time the motor energizing switch114 may be moved to on position, or a foot operated, remotelypositioned, energizing switch generally equivalent thereto may beoperated to energize the motor 58 temporarily, which will cause it toexert torque in a lidunscrewing direction on the jar lid 88 which, inturn, will cause a resisting torque to be applied by the lower clampmeans to the jar base portions 98 until such time as the lid 38 has beenunscrewed from the threaded top of the jar 1111), at which time themovable upper portion of the vertically adjustable mounting means 24carrying the motor 58 and the upper clamp means 22 may be moved upwardlyaway from the now open jar 100 and the knurled portion 90 may be movedinto a jaw-opening position to cause the release of the now removed jarlid $8.

Of course, in the above-described mode of operation, the manuallyoperable handle 104 must remain in the adjusted position, holding theopposed bottom jaw portions 68' and 69' in firm engagement with the jarbase portions 98 during the jar-lid-unscrewing operation. This may bedone manually, or may be done by providing various types of controllablyoperable locking means for temporarily rotatively immobilizing andlocking the handle 104, the shaft 106, either of the bevel gears W8 and110, the central input shaft 60' or the opposed lower jaw member 68 and69', until completion of the jar-lid-moving operation. A frictional, orother type, of locking means similar in principle to the previouslydescribed locking means shown at 42, a vise type of locking means,ratchet and paw], or multiple detent locking means, or any otherfunctional equivalent thereof, may be employed for this purpose, allwithin the broad scope of the present invention since such anarrangement are all well known in the art.

Since the motor 58 in the example illustrated, is an electric motor(although it is not specifically so limited in all forms of theinvention), an input connector or plug, such as is indicated at 115 inFIG. 1, is provided on the upper collar or supporting frame 54 whichcarries the motor 58 and is connected to the motor and is adapted tohave an electrical connector or plug inserted thereinto which, ofcourse, will have its opposite end connected by way of an extensioncord, to a suitable source of electrical power for operating the motormeans when energized by closure of the switch means 114.

In order to facilitate a jar-lid-unscrewing operation, it should beunderstood that some means should be provided for allowing a relativelysmall vertical movement of the jar lid 88 with respect to the jar 100 tooccur during a jar-lid-unscrewing operation. This may be providedthrough the use of various types of resilient means providing for therequisite small degree of relative vertical movement of the jar lid 88and jar 100 and may comprise horizontal compressible abutment or padmeans positioned within the flat portions of either or both of the upperand/or lower camp means 20 and 22, or such relativevertical-displacement-providing means may be positioned either above theupper clamp means 22 or below the lower clamp means 20 or in both suchlocations, if desired. One exemplary representative, butnon-specifically limiting, form of such vertical-displacement-providingmeans is generally indicated in somewhat diagrammatic form at 116 inFIG. 1 and may take a form such as is shown in enlarged, fragmentary,partly-broken-away, somewhat over simplified detail in FIG. 1A, where itis shown as comprising an inner-shaft portion 1 18 exteriorly splined asindicated at 120 and vertically slidably mounting Within hollow sleeveportion 122 having an interior spline as indicated at 124 verticallyslidably but non-rotatively engaging the exteriorly splined shaftportion 120 and with the sleeve 122 having an abutment shoulder 126spaced from a lower abutment shoulder 128 carried by the lower shaft 60,with resilient or spring means such as indicated at 130, interposedbetween the two shoulders 126 and 128. Of course the lower shaft portion60 is connected to the spur gear or pinion 74 as previously described,while the upper hollow sleeve portion 122 is connected to the output ofthe reduction gearing 64 and is the driving shaft portion. It is clearthat the arrangement just described will provide positive torquetransmission, but will allow the required vertical shifting movementmentioned above, which is needed when the jar lid 88 is verticallyunscrewed from the jar 100. Of course it should be understood that thesame type of arrangement may be provided below the lower clamp means 20instead of at the upper location shown if desired, and that thearrangement shown is merely representative of many different forms whichsaid vertical-displacement-providing means 116 may take within the broadscope of the present invention.

One arrangement of the type mentioned hereinbefore, having oneparticular, exemplary, representative, but non-specifically limiting,form of such locking means for positively locking the controllablyoperable bottom-shaft-rotating means, indicated generally at 102 in thefirst form of the invention described hereinbefore, is illustratedfragmentarily in FIG. 7 and, therefore, parts identical to, similar to,or functionally equivalent to corresponding parts of the first form ofthe invention are designated in FIG. 7 by similar reference numeralsfollowed by the letter a, however. In this modification, it should benoted that the front end of the base 260 carries a finger-operating pawlmember 132 which cooperates with a ratchet portion 134 carried by theshaft 106a and arranged to freely allow counterclockwise rotation ofsaid shaft 106a, but to prevent clockwise rotation thereof until fingeroperation of the pawl 132 releases same. Thus, it will be understoodthat it will be possible to initially adjust the opposed lower jawmembers by rotating the shaft 106a in a counterclockwise direction,which will cause the lower jaw members to move toward each other intogripping engagement with the jar base portion in a manner similar tothat previously described in connection with FIG. 1 of the first form ofthe invention and that release of the handle (such as that shown at 104in FIG. 1) will cause the pawl 132 to prevent any re verse or clockwiserotation of the shaft 106a, thus in effect holding the opposed lower jawmembers in firm engagement with opposite arcuate portions of the jarbase, similar to those shown at 98 in FIG. 1. After completion of ajar-lid-unscrewing operation in the manner previously described, thefinger-operated-pawl 132 may be moved into disengaged position withrespect to the ratchet portion 134 so that the lower jaws will bereleased and can be opened to release the jar base for removaltherefrom.

It should be understood that the figures and the specific descriptionthereof set forth in this application are for the purpose ofillustrating the present invention and are not to be construed aslimiting the present invention to the precise and detailed specificstructure shown in the figures and specifically described hereinbefore.Rather, the real invention is intended to include substantiallyequivalent constructions employing the basic teachings and inventiveconcept of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A jar lid remover for relatively unscrewing and separating threadedlyengaged jar lids and jars, comprising: a lower size-variable jar basereceiving, downwardly recessed base clamp means for receiving andclamping in a self-tightening, torsional force-exerting manner asubstantially cylindrical jar base of any size within a size range lyingbetween a predetermined minimum size and a predetermined maximum size;an upper size-variable jar lid receiving, upwardly recessed lid clampmeans for receiving and clamping in a selftightening torsionalforce-exerting manner a substantially cylindrical jar lid of any sizewithin a size range lying between a predetermined minimum size and apredetermined maximum size; controllably operable, clamp-adjusting meansfor varying the size of each of said upper and lower clamp means;relative torqueapplying means cooperable with respect to said clampmeans for producing relatively oppositely directed torque between saidupper and lower clamp means and ajar lid adapted to be clamped andengaged within said upper clamp means and a jar base adapted to beengaged and clamped within said lower clamp means for power-unscrewingsuch a jar lid from such a jar; said relative torque-applying meansincluding a torqueapplying motor means provided with and driving avertically directed input shaft connected to one of said upper and lowerclamp means and torque-resisting means provided with and driving avertically directed input shaft controllably coupled to said other oneof said upper and lower clamp means; and means mounting each of saidupper and lower clamp means for rotation around a common, verticallydirected axis of rotation on which such a jar lid and jar base areadapted to be vertically spacedly similarly centered, said relativetorque-applying means being cooperable with respect to each of saidclamp means in a manner such that relative reverse rotation of either ofsaid upper or lower clamp means with respect to the corresponding inputshaft in a relatively reverse direction from the driving direction offorward rotation of said corresponding input shaft during the productionof said relatively oppositely directed torque between said upper andlower clamp means, causes a corresponding, self-tightening action ofsaid corresponding upper or lower clamp means with respect to such ajarlid or jar base, respectively, adapted to be engaged and clampedtherewithin.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said receiving clampmeans comprises a pair of spacedly opposed jaw members provided withfrictional abutment means on inner surfaces thereof adapted tofrictionally engage opposed arcuate portions of the circumference of ajar lid and jar base, respectively, with each set of said opposed jawmembers being provided with corresponding upper and lowerrotary-to-linearmovement converter means coupled in oppositely directedsenses with respect to each jaw member of the corresponding one of thetwo different sets of jaw members and with the corresponding input shaftof the corresponding set of jaw members in a manner such that theapplication of torque by way of said input shaft in a counterclockwisedirection as viewed from above with respect to said upper clamp meansand in a clockwise direction as viewed from above with respect to saidlower clamp means will convert said relative oppositely directed torqueof said two input shafts into similar inwardly directed motion of thetwo opposed jaw members of both the upper and lower sets of said jawmembers toward each other and such that relatively reverse rotation ofsaid upper clamp means in a clockwise direction as viewed from abovewith respect to said upper input shaft and such that relatively reverserotation of said lower clamp means in a counter-clockwise direction asviewed from above with respect to said lower input shaft will, in eachcase, convert such reverse relative rotation of said upper or lowerclamp means with respect to said upper or lower input shafts intoinwardly directed, self-tightening clamping motion of the two opposedjaw members of said upper or lower sets of said jaw members,respectively, toward each other for enhancing the transmission ofoppositely directed torque to corresponding jar lid and jar baseportions of a jar adapted to be engaged between said upper and lowerclamp means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said torque-applying motormeans is positioned above said upper clamp means and is provided withreduction gearing means connected in driving relationship with respectto the upper one of said input shafts connected to the upper clampmeans, and wherein said oppositely positioned torque-resisting meanscontrolling the operation of the other one of said two clamp means ispositioned below the lower clamp means and is coupled to the lower inputshaft comprising the input member to said lower clamp means.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said torque applying motormeans is provided with a positionally vertically adjustable mountingcollar receiving and mounting said motor means in verticallysuperimposed and spaced relationship above said upper clamp means whichis above said lower clamp means with the input shaft to said upper clampmeans extending downwardly from said motor means and being directlyvertically superimposed but vertically spaced above the lower inputshaft to the lower clamp means.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said upper jaw lid receivingclamp means is downwardly directed and provided with and mounted onvertically adjustable mounting means including vertical mounting postmeans and slidable sleeve means cooperable for vertical movementdownwardly until said jar lid receiving clamp means engages a jar lidwhich is to be removed.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said motor means is providedwith a mounting collar receiving and mounting said motor means with saidinput shaft vertically downwardly directed in laterally offset,substantially parallel spaced relationship with respect to said verticalmounting post means and directly superimposed above said upper and lowerclamp means.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said mounting collar islaterally connected to said slidable sleeve means which is verticallydownwardly directed 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein saidvertical locking means comprises a controllably operable locking camcarried by one of said two relatively vertically slidable memberscomprising said sleeve means and said mounting post means and forciblyengageable and cooperable with the other of said two relativelyvertically slidable members for temporarily vertically immobilizingsame.

1. A jar lid remover for relatively unscrewing and separating threadedlyengaged jar lids and jars, comprising: a lower sizevariable jar basereceiving, downwardly recessed base clamp means for receiving andclamping in a self-tightening, torsional forceexerting manner asubstantially cylindrical jar base of any size within a size range lyingbetween a predetermined minimum size and a predetermined maximum size;an upper size-variable jar lid receiving, upwardly recessed lid clampmeans for receiving and clamping in a self-tightening torsionalforce-exerting manner a substantially cylindrical jar lid of any sizewithin a size range lying between a predetermined minimum size and apredetermined maximum size; controllably operable, clamp-adjusting meansfor varying the size of each of said upper and lower clamp means;relative torque-applying means cooperable with respect to said clampmeans for producing relatively oppositely directed torque between saidupper and lower clamp means and a jar lid adapted to be clamped andengaged within said upper clamp means and a jar base adapted to beengaged and clamped within said lower clamp means for power-unscrewingsuch a jar lid from such a jar; said relative torque-applying meansincluding a torque-applying motor means provided with and driving avertically directed input shaft connected to one of said upper and lowerclamp means and torqueresisting means provided with and driving avertically directed input shaft controllably coupled to said other oneof said upper and lower clamp means; and means mounting each of saidupper and lower clamp means for rotation around a common, verticallydirected axis of rotation on which such a jar lid and jar base areadapted to be vertically spacedly similarly centered, said relativetorque-applying means being cooperable with respect to each of saidclamp means in a manner such that relative reverse rotation of either ofsaid upper or lower clamp means with respect to the corresponding inputshaft in a relatively reverse direction from the driving direction offorward rotation of said corresponding input shaft during the productionof said relatively oppositely directed torque between said upper andlower clamp means, causes a corresponding, self-tightening action ofsaid corresponding upper or lower clamp means with respect to such a jarlid or jar base, respectively, adapted to be engaged and clampedtherewithin.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of saidreceiving clamp means comprises a pair of spacedly opposed jaw membersprovided with frictional abutment means on inner surfaces thereofadapted to frictionally engage opposed arcuate portions of thecircumference of a jar lid and jar base, respectively, with each set ofsaid opposed jaw members being provided with corresponding upper andlower rotary-to-linear-movement converter means coupled in oppositelydirected senses with respect to each jaw member of the corresponding oneof the two different sets of jaw members and with the correspondinginput shaft of the corresponding set of jaw members in a manner suchthat the application of torquE by way of said input shaft in acounterclockwise direction as viewed from above with respect to saidupper clamp means and in a clockwise direction as viewed from above withrespect to said lower clamp means will convert said relative oppositelydirected torque of said two input shafts into similar inwardly directedmotion of the two opposed jaw members of both the upper and lower setsof said jaw members toward each other and such that relatively reverserotation of said upper clamp means in a clockwise direction as viewedfrom above with respect to said upper input shaft and such thatrelatively reverse rotation of said lower clamp means in acounter-clockwise direction as viewed from above with respect to saidlower input shaft will, in each case, convert such reverse relativerotation of said upper or lower clamp means with respect to said upperor lower input shafts into inwardly directed, self-tightening clampingmotion of the two opposed jaw members of said upper or lower sets ofsaid jaw members, respectively, toward each other for enhancing thetransmission of oppositely directed torque to corresponding jar lid andjar base portions of a jar adapted to be engaged between said upper andlower clamp means.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein saidtorque-applying motor means is positioned above said upper clamp meansand is provided with reduction gearing means connected in drivingrelationship with respect to the upper one of said input shaftsconnected to the upper clamp means, and wherein said oppositelypositioned torque-resisting means controlling the operation of the otherone of said two clamp means is positioned below the lower clamp meansand is coupled to the lower input shaft comprising the input member tosaid lower clamp means.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein saidtorque applying motor means is provided with a positionally verticallyadjustable mounting collar receiving and mounting said motor means invertically superimposed and spaced relationship above said upper clampmeans which is above said lower clamp means with the input shaft to saidupper clamp means extending downwardly from said motor means and beingdirectly vertically superimposed but vertically spaced above the lowerinput shaft to the lower clamp means.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim3, wherein said upper jaw lid receiving clamp means is downwardlydirected and provided with and mounted on vertically adjustable mountingmeans including vertical mounting post means and slidable sleeve meanscooperable for vertical movement downwardly until said jar lid receivingclamp means engages a jar lid which is to be removed.
 6. Apparatus asdefined in claim 5, wherein said motor means is provided with a mountingcollar receiving and mounting said motor means with said input shaftvertically downwardly directed in laterally offset, substantiallyparallel spaced relationship with respect to said vertical mounting postmeans and directly superimposed above said upper and lower clamp means.7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said mounting collar islaterally connected to said slidable sleeve means which is verticallydownwardly directed in encompassing relationship along a portion of saidvertical mounting post means.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7,including vertical locking means for locking said vertically adjustablemounting means in any selected vertical position with said jar lidreceiving clamp means in engagement with a jar lid which is to beremoved and for subsequently locking said jar lid receiving clamp meansin an upper inoperative position during periods of non-use and betweensuccessive use periods.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein saidvertical locking means comprises a controllably operable locking camcarried by one of said two relatively vertically slidable memberscomprising said sleeve means and said mounting post means and forciblyengageable and cooperable with the other of said two relativelyvertically slIdable members for temporarily vertically immobilizingsame.